Production of branched chain paraffin hydrocarbons



June 22, l948- E. L. DouvlLLE Er AL 2,443,606

PRODUCTION 0F BRANCHED CHAIN PARAFFIN HYDROCARBONS Filed nec. 9, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 @www TMm.

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June 2,2, 1948 E. L. DouvlLLE r-:rAL 2,443,506

PRODUCTION 0F BRANCHED CHAIN PRAFFIN HYDROCARBONS Filed Dec. 9, 195s 3 Sheets-Shet 2 PRODUCTION OF BRANCHED CHAIN PARAFFIN HYDROCARBONS Filed Dec. 9. 1939 `une 22, 1948. E. L. DouvlLLE UAL 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented June 22, 1948 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Edmond L. duville and Bernard L. Evering, Chi- Ill., assignors to Standard Oil Company,

Chicago, lll., a corporation of Indiana Application December 9, 1939, Serial No. 308,480

25 Claims. (Cl. 26o-683.5)

This invention relates to the production of branched-chain paraffin hydrocarbons from normally liquid hydrocarbons and more particularly to the conversion of normally liquid saturated hydrocarbons and mixtures thereof containing a large proportion of straight-chain paramns into products consisting predominantly of branchedl chain parailin hydrocarbons.

In the operation of many petroleum refineries considerable quantities oi straight-run naphthas are available which contain such large proportions oi' straight-chain paramn hydrocarbons that they are virtually useless for blending into motor fuel, particularly aviation fuel, because ci their extremely low antiknock values, which may range for example from about 40 to below zero octane number. On the other hand, branched-chain paraffin hydrocarbons are very valuable, those having from to 12 carbon atoms per molecule being extremely ldesirable constituby means o! our invention. In addition the norl mally liquid branched-chain paraliins as well as lsobutane, Awhich can also be one of our products, are very useful as starting materials in the manufacture of many chemical products.

By carrying out our invention according to certain modifications thereof, an important product is isobutane, and this is a key material for thepreparation of hydrocarbon products which have a premium value. For example, the isobutane can be alkylated with olens such as propylene, the butylenes, or gases containing them in the presence of suitable catalysts such as sulfuric acid to produce higher isoparaffins of excellent antiknock and stability characteristics, or it can be dehydrogenated to isobutylene over a catalyst such as chromlc oxide gel or magnesium chromite and this isobutylene polymerized' by known means to resins, lubricating oils or diisobutylene. The latter compound is of course easily converted to 2,2,4-trimethyl pentane. which is generally called iso-octane, by hydrogenation, and the dehydrogenation step is a convenient source of hydrogen for the hydrogenation of the di-isobutylene, or this hydrogen can be used in carrying out the conversion of straightchain to branched-chain paramn hydrocarbons according to our invention.

Other investigators have proposed methods oi' producing isobutane and higher saturated branched-chain hydrocarbons from straightchain paraillns usingaluminum chloride as the catalyst, but these methods result in such low yields of the desired products based on the catalyst consumed that they are much too expensive for practical use. Aluminum chloride very readily forms va complex with the hydrocarbons present, and the rapid degradation of this complex to an' inactive sludge has been a major factor in the low yields obtainedby prior methods.

We have found that excellent yields of branched-chain saturated hydrocarbons can he obtained from normally liquid straight-chain paraffin hydrocarbons by subjecting them to the action of an aluminum halide catalyst eective in causing the conversion of straight-chain to branched-chain paraiins under a relatively high hydrogen pressure. The hydrogen greatly retards the rate of deactivation oi the catalyst,

thereby allowing especially high yields of the desired products per unit weight of catalyst, and reducing catalyst costs so that the process is economically attractive.

It is an object of our invention to provide a process for the production of branched-chain saturated hydrocarbons with high yields per unit of catalyst consumed from normally liquid saturated hydrocarbons such as predominantly parafilnic naphthas. Another object is to provide a process whereby naphthas of low antiknocl: values are converted into mixtures rich in saturated branched-chain parailln hydrocarbons of high stability, high knock rating and of volatility suitable for use as'airplane fuels. Still another object is to provideI a method of preparing a product consisting substantially of isobutane from normally liquid straight-chain paraiiln hydrocarbons and mixtures thereof. Other objects, advantages and uses of our invention will appear from the following detailed description read in conjunction with the drawings which form a part of this specication and in which:

Figure 1 shows in a schematic manner an apparatus suitable for carrying out our invention;

Figure 2 shows schematically a form of apparatus for carrying out our invention in a twostage modication which is advantageous under some conditions; and

Figure 3 is a graph of the results obtained in comparable runs demonstrating the great advanl tages derived from operation under hydrogen pressure.

In one of its broad aspects our invention comprises the reaction of normally liquid hydrocarbons which are essentially paramnic in nature and at least predominantly of straight-chain configuration in the presence "of an aluminum halide catalyst effective in causing the conversion of straight-chain to branched-chain paramos at l a temperature in the range from about 100 lill. toy

about 550 F'. under a hydrogen pressure in lthe rance from about 250 to about 6000 pounds per square inch. As will be brought out below the presence ci certain other materials is desirable under some conditions within these ranges.

'lilie feed stock to our process can be any substantially saturated normally liquid hydrocarbon fraction rich ln straight-chain paranns. For example, it can be a relatively pure normally liquid straight-chain paramn hydrocarbon such as normal heptane, but generally predominantly paranic straight-run nanhtlias such as those i-rom Michigan, Pennsylvania, or Mid-Continent crude oil are preferred since they are much more readily available. Natural gasoline fractions are also suitable and are plentiful and inexpensive inY some production areas. lit is very important that the feed stock be almost free from aromatic hydrocarbons since they have been found to re duce the activity ci the catalyst to a very marlred degree and consequently seriously limit the amount of conversion obtained per unit weight of catalyst. Uur preferred -feed stools therefore contains less than 5% and preferably 0.540% or less ci aromatic hydrocarbons. ln many cases a preliminary solvent extraction step or other treatment is necessary or desirable to reduce lthe aromatic content of the leed to a value sudlciently lov.1 to minimize interference with the catalyst activity.

. Our invention is not applicable to cracked nonhthas because of their large content of aromatics and oledns. A relatively small amount oi the latter can be tolerated in the reaction, but they are preferably substantially absent since they tend to reduce the catalyst activity, although not as markedly as do the ,aromatica Naphthenic or cycloparafnic hydrocarbons on the other hand are not injurious to catalyst life but react to form isomers, cyclohexane for example being converted to methyl cyclopentane almost quantttatively. Since the conversion oi straight-chain paraln hydrocarbons of lovv value into the more useful branched-chain paramn hydrocarbons is the desired reaction and the lsomerizatlon l of naphthenes does not result in appreciable increase in octane number, it is preferred to use a feed stock containing-a relatively small proportion of naphthenes. The Vfeed stock for our process therefore preferably contains at least 50% Yoi' paraffin hydrocarbons, and those containing at least 80% of paramn hydrocarbons cre especially desirable. A

The liquid feed to our process can have a wide boiling range, a relatively narrow one, or, as indi` iii 4 having an initial boiling point'in'the range from about 30 F. to about 90 F. and an end point in the range from about 145 F. to about 158 F.. preferably about 152 F. ln this way substantially all ci the aromatico and most of the nanhthenes such as cycloneaane are excluded. in one ernbodiinent of -our invention; however, it is advantageous to use a feed boiling above about 235 l. and containing hydrocarbons havin@v t or more carbon atoms per molecule lor the reason that this facilitates the separation of unreccted i'eed from the more volatile liquid branched-chain paramos obtained in the process and consequently allows recycling ci the former and a greater decree of over-all conversion.

The aluminum halide catalyst used in cturylnf,7 out ourY invention can be, for example, aluminum, chloride or aluminum bromide in anhydrous form,

and it is preferably introduced into the reaction mended.

cated above, it can be a substantially pure normal paraffin' hydrocarbon. In general the feed stoel; will have a boiling range within the range'from aboumoo" F; to about 500 F., although naphthas.

having an initial boiling point in the neighborhood ci 30 F. and including up to about 25-30% by weight of butanes can be used. A particularly suitable naphtha feed is one prepared by the distillation and fractionation of a straight-run 'or natural gasoline stock to produce a light haphtha zone in the form of a slurry or solution, lor instance in a portion of the leed. stock. Furthermore, as will bebrought out below, the catalyst complex formed during the reectionsetains its activity for a considerable period ci time and is useful for further conversion of straight-chain paramos, especially at relatively high temperatures. The concentration of catalyst present in the reaction zonecan vary Within wide limits, depending primarily upon the temperature,l re action time and catalyst activity or ireshness Using substantially aromatic-:free charging stoclcs under a, hydrogen pressure of about 90o pounds per square inch at a reaction temperature-'oi 330 F., an activated `alumlnlnn chloride catalyst which has been in the reaction zoneior an average time oit 'l hours, and a catalyst consumption (rete of fresh aluminum chloride additional of 0.7 lb. oi aluminum chloride nel' 100, lbs(V of. nanh= tha charged, by way ci example, we recommend operating under such conditions that the product ci the catalysttooil weightretio and the reaction time in minutes-herein called the contact factor-is about 5.0, since this has been found to give a large octane number increase with high yields. The following table illustrates good cioe-:rfn ating conditions by way oi example. 1

numple No.

1f ls i.

.so das 5.o

ses*

in the event higher or lower catalyst consumo-,l tion is intentionally used, a corresponly lower or higher contact factor respectively Ais recom- In the event stocls containing aro-l matics are used the contact factormust be increased to get' the same octane number increase, the exact amount of. increase" being dependent on the amount of aromatics and the yield desired. Altetlvely orinfaddition; vthe fresh catalyst iced rate, or consumption.muyz be increased thus partially or wholly offsetting an otherwise neces--l sary increase in contactfactor. Almost-invariably the amount of 'catalyst used Aup Orehdered inactive will be quite sma1l,e. g. lessfthan 5%, even when stocks containing fair amounts ot aromatics are being processed, but more generally .this figure .willbe wlthi'the range-from about`0.2% toeabout 2.0% by weight.

At e. lower reaction.'tempera. Ature, th v rector must te greater weet-nue c 'vs'.

e auaeoe Example No.

Tem rature, "F 330 300 250 210 210 C yst-to0il Ratio Reactor.. .l0 .i0 .20 .i0 .80 Reaction Time, Minutes 50 88 120 630 105 25 Contact Factor...` 5.0 8.8 24.0 63 63 2.5

The-contact factor may also be calculated for continuous operation by dividing the feed rate in pounds per minute into the pounds of catalyst in the reactor.

Under most conditions we prefer to employ an activator with the aluminum halide catalyst. When'our preferred catalyst, aluminum chloride,- is used, the presence of an activator is necessary in order that a reasonable reaction rate may be obtained, but in the case of aluminum 1 bromide, the activator can be dispensed with under some circumstances. As activator we can use a hydrogen halide or any compound which in the'fpresence of the catalyst affords a hydrogen halide under the reaction conditions, preferably in an amount sufilcient to supply a concentration in the reaction zone of about 1 to 2 mols of hydrogen'halide per mol of aluminum halide, which will `usually be in the range from about 0.03% to 3.0% by weight of hydrogen halide based on the-charge (although larger amounts than 3% may be employed as shown by various runs hereinafter tabulated). Our preferred promoter is hydrogen chloride, but hydrogen bromide, carbon ltetrachloride, the alkyl halides such as methyl chloride or bromide. ethyl chloride or bromide, etc. can be used. In general the chlorinated and brominated hydrocarbons, particularly the more volatile ones, are suitable.

` As hereinabove stated the reaction is carried out in 'accordance with our invention under a relatively high hydrogen pressure, which may range from about 250 to about 6000 pounds per square inch. Preferably, however, hydrogen pressures l in the range from about 500 to about 1500 pounds per square inch are employed. In laboratory work more or less pure hydrogen has been used. However, in plant operation of the process, hydrogen containing impurities such as methane is available at much lower cost and can be used effectively so long as the-hydrogen content of the gas 'is above about 50 mol per cent, in which case the hydrogen pressure previously mentioned as preferred would be the hydrogen partial pressure rather than the total gas pressure.

' Thepresence of hydrogen under pressure is essential to economical utilization of the catalyst, and causes a substantial increase in yield and octane number oi' the liquid products as well as." greatly increased catalyst life. These extremely advantageous results owing from the use of hydrogen as specified herein are clearly demonstrated by comparison of runs and 31, which are discussed below in considerable detail. It will suillce here to point out that under otherwise comparable conditions a given quantity of catalyst increased the octane number of a total of 10,205 parts by weight of a given stock by 13.5 points at a yield of 97.7% by volume in the presence of hydrogen, but in the absence of hydrogen was able to increase the octane number of 'only 4189 parts by weight by '1.4 units at a yield oi' 94.2%. In addition the catalyst from the former run 'was'more active at vthe end (14.78

6 hours) than was that from the second run alte 2 hours.

Another important variable which iniluences the course oi' the reaction is temperature. In general. temperatures ranging from about .F. to about 550 F. are suitable although diierent reaction times, amounts of catalyst, and even reactants are almost imperative in order that economically practicable results may be obtained at various temperatures. For example, in the range from about 100 F. to about 350 F. (herein called low temperature operatlon") there is little or no tendency for the liquid charge to be broken down into normally gaseous hydrocarbons except at relatively high catalyst concentrations or long reaction times, while in the range from about 350 F. tolabout 550 F. this tend-r ency is much greater. The normally gaseous hydrocarbons formed under severe reaction conditions consist principally of propane and isobutane together with a small amount of normal butane. Under exceptional circumstances a small amount of permanent gases (ethane and lighter) is obtained but this is an indication of drastic overtreatment resulting from too high a temperature, too great a cat alyst concentration, too long a reaction time, or a combination of these. Because the changes in the character of the products is a gradual one, and the reaction conditions, etc. can be adjusted to form either little or a great deal of isobutane or propane plus isobutane in the intermediatev temperature range, a somewhat overlapping relatively high temperature range, 300 F. to 550 F., is called herein "high temperature operation. As indicated above, the temperature limits set forth can be only approximate because of the considerable number of variables which can influence the reaction.

We have further iound that the formation of propane and the' butanes can be substantially completely inhibited in high temperature operation by carrying out the reaction in the presence of a substantial amount of substantially saturated gases consisting essentially of propane and either or both butanes, for instance I1'0 to 35% by weight of propane and 5 to 25% by weight of butanes based on the higher boiling paraillns present, and limiting the percent of the latter converted to a maximum of about 65 to 70% per pass. These light saturated hydrocarbons of course may be a constituent of the naphtha feed. This limitation of the conversion can be controlled by regulation of the temperature and contact time in the reation zone and the catalyst-to-oil ratio. When the production of substantial amounts of isobutane is desired, however, the saturated hydrocarbon gassupplied to the reaction can be principally propane so that formation of further quantities of propane is inhibited while isobutane is produced in substantial yields. Normal butane is readily isomerized to isobutane in passing through the reaction zone, so that it is advantageous to add it rather than isobutane whenever it is available. Methane and ethane are without effect in preventing the degradation of liquid paraiiins to gases and their presence in the reaction zone is generally undesirable since they act as diluents and complicate the handling of the reaction products, but minor quantities can, of course, be present.

In some cases it may be desirable to obtain a product containing a large proportion of isobutane from the liquid feed and this can be done'by tively.

reaction Vstep or, as mentioned above, eliminating their use entirely while continuing to add propane. is carried out at a higher conversion per pass, e. a. cil-85% by using more catalyst, that is, a higher catalyst-oil ratio in the reactor, longer contact time, etc. Furthermore, the yield or iscibutane can be raised an additional amount by recycling the heavier converted products, but generally these products are of such value that their rurther treatment is economically undesirable.

From the above, it will be seen that our invention can be carried out advantageously either in the range from about 100 F. to about 350 il. in the absence oi propane or in the rance from about 300 F. to about 550 F. in the presence of propane. Preferably the temperature ranges used are 200 F.350 F. and 350 lit-475 F. respecln the overlapping range from about 300 li. to about 350 F. and under most operating conditions, there is some tendencyv ior the normally liquid feed to be converted into isobutane but very little or no propane formation. Under these circumstances itis often advantageous to inhibit the iol-mation ot isobutane bythe introduction of normal lontane and/or isobutane Without any propane into the reaction zone with the liquid reed stock.

As Will be understood by those skilled in the art, the time during which the liquid feed stock and the catalyst are contacted under the reaction conditions can vary over a wide renee depending primarily upon the particular feed stoclr, ternperature, catalyst concentration and desired degree of conversion. In practical operations it is of course advantageous to use relatively short times or contact in order that the capacity of a given apparatus may be as great as is feasible under the particular circumstances involved. lDue to the many variables involved it is impossible to define the proper Contact time for each specific situation, but we prefer to use a contact time such that the product of the Weight ratio of catalyst to liquid hydrocarbons in the reaction zone and the average reaction time is greater than a specied value which is a function of temperature. This product is a rough measure of the severity of the treatment at a given tempera-- ture, and, as mentioned above, is herein called the contact factor, represented by the symbol Kf' ln mathematical terms,

where:

C -weight of catalyst in reaction zone,

O=Weight of liquid hydrocarbons in reaction zone, and

t=average time of contact between hydrocarbon feed and catalyst.

When our process is operated continuously it is somewhat more convenient to dene the contact factor in terms of liquid feed rate according to the following equation:

where: i C=weight of catalyst in reaction zone, and F=rate at which liquid hydrocarbons are charged to the reaction zone, in weight units per unit time. y

The factor K has the dimensions of time, and will hereinafter be expressed in minutes.

Preferably, the reaction in this case litt 8 The minimum value of the contact fr K that can be employed in carrying out the invention advantageously varies with temperature ahproximately as indicated by the equation.

4883 (3) Login Km= where:

Km is the minimum contact factor at a given temperature in. minutes, and T is that temperature in decrees Fahrenheit.

With regard to maximum values or K, the tollem". ine may be said. According to Equation il the minimum value for K at 330 F. is about 0.5 min ute. We have round from the experiments described in connection with. Table il? belotv that exceptionally goed results are obtained with relatively fresh catalyst usino a light naphtha feed in the range of K values trom about 1.5 to about El minutes (or somewhat bisher) at that temperature. However, approximately equivalent im provement in the charging stool: can be obtained using relatively old catalyst and correspondinehf larger contact factors, which in the cette of very old catalyst may even reach values oi' the order ot a thousand times the minimum. The choice ci catalyst freshness and the corresponding conn tact factor to be used in any particular nient depend upon such factors as investment, stirring and catalyst costs. Other reed stocks may recuire more drastic treatment than the liant naphtha mentioned above and consequently larger values of the Contact factor li.. All of the above is predicated upon the assumption that good con tact betweencatalyst and hydrocarbon material is obtained in the reaction zone, and apparatus providing such contact must be used or due allowance made therefor.

it is apparent that the process of our invention can be carried out either batch-Wise or continuously, although We prefer continuous operation, and that certain portions of the apparatus must be constructed of corrosion-resistant materials to prevent rapid deterioration thereof from the active halogen compounds present. We have i'ound that iron-compound impurities should be eliminated as far as possible from the reaction zone. For example, ferrie oxide dennitely'lowers the amount of conversion or requires a greater contact factor to obtain the same degree of conversion, and results in greater catalyst consumption. We have also found that the use of iron and carbon steel reaction vessels greatly decreases the amount of conversion obtainable, so that it is preferred that the reaction vessels be constructed of or lined with non-ferrous materials such as glass, ceramic substances, aluminum, etc., or corrosion-resistant alloys such as stainless steel. In the case of stainless steel containing 18% chromium and 8% nickel, it was found that a somewhat greater amount of activator was necessary in order to obtain yields of products comparable with those obtained in `glass apparatus, but the cost of the additional activator may be balanced against the greater durability oi stainless steel equipment. l

Our invention will now be described in more detail in connection with the apparatus shown in Figure i. The normally liquid feed is introduced into the system by means of pump it and line ii and thence into the lower portion of the reaction vessel l2 which is shown as a jacketed pressure Vessel equipped with astirring device it so that audace by passing-:a 'suitable gasedusor liquid heating agent through the jacket u of reaction vessei l2 byfmeans of inlet l5 and outlet i6. Ixi'high temperature: operation, saturated hydrocarbon gas consisting predominantlyv of `propane and/or at least one of the butanes, catalyst slurry and ac-` tivator are introduced into line H and mixed with the feed therein by means of pumps i1, i8 and I9, and lines j 2l and 22 respectively. When low temperature operation is employed,- obviously pumpv il is not used. Free hydrogen is supplied tothe upper portion of reaction' vessel i2 through pump 23 and line 2d, and is there maintained at the desired reaction pressure, which is suiiciently high to cause the hydrogen to dissolve in the agitated reaction mixture at a rate atleast as great as itis used up in the reaction; Obviously if desired a'numberofreaction vessels can be used in series or parallel in place of the one shown, or vessels of other types well-known in the art can be' substituted therefor;

j A portion of the entirereaction mixture is continuously withdrawn from the upper' portion of vessel l2 through line 25 and passes either through valve '26 and cooler 2l or through loypass valve 28 or partly through each valve into4 separator 2 9. The products consist of a catalyst complexwhich settles out in the lower portion of separator 29, and an upper layer consisting of a mixture of hydrocarbons containing branchedchain paramns having from 4 to '7 or more carbon atoms per molecule, unreacted -feed stock, dissolved hydrogen, and unreactedparaffinic gases it' such have been charged. The catalyst' complex is continuously withdrawn from separator f2s through line 3d and either recycled to line 2l through valve 3i, line 32 and pump 33 or withdrawn from the system through valve 3a and lineA St, or under some conditions a portion of the compien lmay bef continuously withdrawn from the system and the remainder recycled. The substantially. spent complex can, of course, be'regenerated or the aluminum halide recovered therefrom and reintroduced into the system through pump i8. Furthermoreat least a portion' ofthe spent complex can be treated with water 'or otherwise to furnish hydrogenhalde for use as activator in the process.

' The upper layer is removed from separator 28 through line 36 and valve 3land passed through valve tinto fractionating tower 33,' valves Ml, di and $2 in lines 43, 44 and d5, respectively belower boiling liquid products are recovered as sidestreams through lines I6 and 41. Alternatively'the conditions in fractionating tower 39 canbe regulated so that the liquidproducts boiling within the motor fuel range, e. g. about 1D0-'400 F., are obtained as side streams while-the heavier fraction is recycled.

The sidestreams consistingpredominantly of branched-chainl -paraiiln hydrocarbons withdrawn through lines 46 and 41 are sent to storage by means of valves 56 and 51 and lines 58 and 53, respectively, valves 60 and 6i being closed. By thus keeping the desired products separated into relatively light and relatively heavy fractions, their use as blending constituents for motor fuelsV is facilitated and stabilization' if necessary can be carried out only on the light product. However, by closing valve 51 and opening valve di the entire product can loe withdrawn in a single stream through line 5d.

In high temperature operation the' overhead passing through linel consists of excess hydrogen, propane, isobutane and possibly some normal butane, and also hydrogen halide, and this overhead is preferably recycled to line 2li through valve 62, line 63, pump 64 and valve d'5 ,toinhibit' the conversion of the feed into such gases and reduce the quantity of the various gases which must be introduced from outside the system. During this procedure, of course, valves t@ and 6l leading to a further fractionation system, are

, closed and valve ii controlling a vent is at leastL ing closed. Valve 38 is preferably of the pressure-reducing type adjusted to the desired frac-j tionating pressure. Fractionating tower 39 is of a conventional type provided with two sidestream outlets 46 and 4l and is operated so that the bottoms therefrom contain undesirably heavy hydrocarbons, the normally liquid hydrocarbons fallingwwithin a desired boiling range are withdrawn through "cutlets 4 6 and 4l and gases having less than 5 carbon atoms per Amolecule are withdrawn overhead through line 48. The heavy liquids coll iecting at the bottom of fractionator 39 are withdrawn through line 49 and are preferably recycled `to line il for further treatment through valve 50, line 5l, pump 52, and line 53. Under some conditions it may be desirable to withdraw a portion of these heavy liquids from the system and this can be done through valve 54 and line 55. When using a feed stock boiling above 235 F., fractionating tower 39 can be so operated that the products and unreacted feed boiling in this range arenot vaporized but collect in the tower botand are recycled in this manner, while the partly closed. In ,thel event impure hydrogen is used the system must be purged of inert gases,j either intermittently or continuously, for'exarn''r ple through valve t3 or a valved vent 69 on line' 45. If it is desired, however, to recover the isobutane formed during the process, valve a2 is closed and valves d5 and '6l are opened 'so that the gas stream passes through cooler lo, 'pump 'll and line 'l2 into fractionatingtower i3 which is operatedunder such conditions that the liquid bottoms contain the hydrocarbons having i cai'- bon atoms per molecule and the overhead which is withdrawn through line lli and valve @l for recycling as described consists essentially oi propane and hydrogen and also hydrogen halide. The C4 fraction is withdrawn from the bottom of tower ld through line l5 and consists predominantly of isobutane, a large proportion of the normal butane charged through pump il? being converted to isobutane in the process and the remainder being formed from the liquid feed.

Obviously the overhead passing through line 48 during low temperature operation will contain substantially no propane, and may contain very little isobutane. However, isobutane will be present in considerable quantities if the reaction conditions other than temperature are relatively severe, or if normal butane or isobutane is charged to reaction vessel i2, and it can be separated from the hydrogen and other light gases in fractionating tower i3 as described above.

A variant of the above-described procedure per liquid layer is passed to fractionating tower.

39 by' means of. valve 4l and line M. One ad- This mixture of gases can be recycled,

vantage of this arrangement is that the volume of gases in tower and compression costs are reduced, and better fractionation is obtained.

In another type of operation which is advantageous if it is desired to obtain a product have ing on the average a larger number of side chains and therefore a higher antiknock value, valve 40 is opened during the early stages of a run so that most of the reaction products are recycled through lines 45 and 5|. Pump 52 and line 43. The branched-chain parafilns upon passing again through the system tend to become more branched in configuration and consequently have a still higher antiknocl: value. More and more of the products iiowing through line 25 are then allowed to pass through valve 58 to the fractionating tower 25 in which these branchedchain hydrocarbons are recovered as described above; a certain percentage of the total products, however, continuing to return through valve 40 to the reaction chamber I2.

Another method of accomplishing substantially the same result consists in opening valves 50 and 50 rather than valve 40 and recycling the relatively heavy sidestream product withdrawn from fractionating tower 39 through line 45 and it may even be desirable in the early stages to recycle the products withdrawn from tower through line 41 by opening valve 5|. As in the previous method, however, ow through valve 50 is gradually restricted so that only a part of the products is recycled.

Still another method ofoperation which is applicable when isobutane is desired as a principal product is to close valve 50 entirely and recycle the entire heavy liquid product to be broken down into isobutane, which action can be facilitated by using relatively large amounts of catalyst and introducing little or no butane'or isobutane into the system through pump l1 and line 20. By closing valve 51 and opening valve 5| the light liquid product can be similarly recycled. In this method of operation valve 52 is, of course, kept closed and valves 5B and 51 leading to the isobutane recovery system are open.

Figure 2 illustrates a particularly advantageous embodiment of our invention in which the conversion of straight-chain to branched-chain paraillns is carried out in two steps, the reaction in one step being carried out under conditions of high temperature operation while in the other a lower temperature in the range of low temperature operation is maintained; In this Way the catalyst complex formed in the low temperature stage which has lost its activity under the conditions in that stage can be used at the higher temperature to convert further quantities of straight-chain hydrocarbons in accordance with the invention.

Referring now to Figure 2, the liquid feed is supplied by pump |00 to reaction vessels |0| and |52 simultaneously through valves |03 and |04 and lines |05 and |05 respectively, or, if desired a. different liquid feed can be charged to reaction vessel |02 through pump |01, valve |08 and line |09, valve |04 being closed. Light parafiiinc gas is supplied to yreaction vessel |0l by means of pump ||0 and line while catalyst slurry and activator are supplied to reaction vessels I0| and |52 by means of pump ||3 and lines ||4 and H5. and pump ||6 and lines H1 and H8, respectively. Hydrogen in excess is supplied under the desired reaction pressure directly to reaction vessels |0| and |02 through inlets ||5 and |20 respectively,

these vessels being of the same type as vessel |2 in Figure 1.

The reaction in reaction chamber |0| is carried out as described above for high temperature operation and the products are passed through cooler |2| to separator |22 from'which the separated catalyst complex is withdrawn and either removed from the system through valve |23 or recycled through valve |24, line |25, pump |25 and line |21 into lines ||4 and |05 and. reaction vessel |0i. 'I'he hydrocarbons and hydrogen are withdrawn from the top of separator 622i through line |28 and pass through valve |29 into irac- Y tionating tower |20 in which separation into de sired products, heavy hydrocarbon materials and gases is carried out. The undersirable or unreacted heavy materials are withdrawn from the tower bottom through line Ill and recycled to line |05 by means of line |22, pump |53 and line |24. while the gaseous overhead is recycled to line ||0 through line |25,v valve |36, line |21 and pump |38. Optionally, of course, any portion o! the heavy materials can be eliminated through valve |39 and line |40. Finally, the products are withdrawn as sidestream through lines |4| and |42, valves |43 and |44, and lines |45 and |40.

Reaction vessel |02 is maintained at a lower temperature than that in reaction vessel lll in the range from about F. to about 350 F. and under these conditions the formation of gaseous hydrocarbons from the liquid feed is absent or at least much less pronounced as explained above but the activity of the catalyst is not as completely exhausted as in reaction vessel |0I. The total products from reaction vessel |02 pass through cooler |41, are'separated from the catalyst complex in separator |48 and pass through line |49 and valve |50 to Iractionating tower |5|, the complex from separator |48 being passed through line |52, valve |53 and line |54 into line |25 for use in reaction vessel |0I. Optionally a portion of the catalyst complex in line |52 can be recycled to reaction vessel |02 through valve |55, pump |56 and line |51, but when its activity has reached a point at which it is rela tively inactive at 10D-350 F. it is advantageous to restrict the amount recycled within the same stage through valve |55. As the run proceeds the flow of fresh catalyst through line ||4 to reaction vessel |0| can be gradually restricted and in some cases can be completely stopped by manipulation of valve |58, so that the activity o.' the catalyst is exhausted at the high temperature used in the first stage. while a part of the total feed is processed in each stage.

The desired branched-chain paraiiln products are removed as sidestreams from fractionating tower |5| and passed through lines |45 and |46 in which they are mixed with the light and heavy products from the first stage. The heavy liquids collecting in the bottom of tower |5|, which may be for example largely unreacted feed when the feed stock is chosen so that it boils above 235 F., is introduced into line |32 for introduction into the first stage by means of line |59. Similarly, the hydrogen together with gases containing less than 5 carbon atoms per molecule, if such gases are present, pass through line |50 and valve Ii into line |31 for recirculation.

In this method oi.' operation valve |52 in line |53 and valve |64 in line |55 are kept closed. Vent valves |56 and |51 are also normally closed. but may be partially opened from time to time to allowsome of the gases passing overhead from fractionating towers |30 and |5| respectively to escape from the system in order to prevent the concentration of permanent gases such as meth-` ane and ethane from building up.

Valves |88, |88, and in lines |1|, |12 and |13 leading to a gas iractionating system are also closed unless it is desired to obtain a fraction containing largely isobutane as one of the products. It this fraction is desired, valves |88, |00 and |10 are opened and valves |36 and |8| closed, so that the gases from both fractionating towers |30 and |5| are combined and passed through cooler` |14 and pump |15 to fractionating tower |18, in which the hydrocarbons containing four carbon atoms per molecule are separated' from the lighter gases as a liquid fraction, which consists largely of isobutane and is withdrawn yfrom the system through line |11. The overhead, which consists largely of propane and hydrogen, is then recycled through line |13, valve |10, line |31, and pump |38, or a portion may bevented through valve |18 to prevent accumulation of undesirable permanent gases in the system. Optionally overhead from either tower |30 or tower |5| may be sent to tower |16 for isobutane recovery while overhead from the other is recycled directly.

In another modication of our invention we use the second stage operating at relatively low temperatures for the 'purpose of increasing the average number of side chains per molecule in the product and this Acan be accomplished by clOslng Valves' |04, |29, |36, |43, I, |64, and |19,

and passing the entire hydrocarbon mixture together with hydrogen from separator |22 through line |28, valve |62, lines |63 and |65, and pump |80, and to line |06 for introduction into reaction vessel |02. In this way the already branchedmhain paraillns formed in reaction vessel |0| are subjected to further treatment to increase the degree of branching but under such mild conditions that degradation to gaseous hydrocarbons is minimized. i

In still another method of accomplishing this result, valve |02 is closed and valves |29, |36, |44, |54 and |19 are opened so that fractionating towerr |30 is again operated and the heavier branched-chain products in line |4| are passed through valve |64, line |55, and pump |80 into line |08 for introduction into the second stage of the process. The last two methods, of course, include the use of the catalyst complex from the separator |48 of the low temperature stage as all or a part of the catalyst required for the higher temperature conversion in reaction vessel a substantially aromatic-free stock, such as the' V light virgin naphtha of about 152 F. end point referred to above, is charged to reaction vessel |02 shown in Figure 2 by means of pump |01, valve |00 and line |09, in which low temperature operation is carried out, while a stock containing 5-10% of aromatic hydrocarbons is fed to reas tion vessel |0| in the high temperature stage through pump |00, valve |03 and line |05. By closing valve|58 and opening valve |53, complex ows from line |52 through lines |54 and |20 pump |20, and lines |21, H0, and |05, and acts as catalyst in the reaction at the relatively high.

temperature prevailing in reaction vessel |0| to give unusually goodconversion per unit of cata-r.

lyst for. a stock of `this type. One feed stock containing some aromatics which can be used according to this phase of our invention is the relatively heavy naphtha remaining after the sepation of 152 F. end point light naphtha therefrom by fractionation.

The hydrocarbon feed stock should preferably be dry and free from alkaline and ammoniacal substances. This may be accomplished by a dildutie acid wash and subsequent passage through a r er.

Itis apparent that we have described a method oi producing branched-chain parailn hydrocarbons from straight-chain parain hydrocarbons with excellent yields and using a minimum of catalyst. In the following table, Table I, the results are given of two batch runs which were made at a temperature in the range of high tern-- perature operation in glass-lined apparatus using pure normal heptane in the presence of an excess of hydrogen and of two runs made in an iron apparatus at substantially the same temperature. It will be understood that the catalyst requirements are substantially lower on a continuous basis. Run 1 illustrates the results obtainable according to a preferred form of our invention while run 2 shows that in the absence of propane and the butanes, large amounts oi' propane and isobutane are produced from the normal heptane rather than the more valuable branched-chain parafiins having five or more carbon atoms per molecule.

Table I Propane g. Isobutane,

Tem

Reaction time, hours... Catalyst, percent by wt Contact factor, min. Percent oi N-heptane converted.

Mols converted per mol AlCli 56 Analysis oi converted products:

Propane and lighter Ca fraction, percent by wt C1 fraction, percent by wt Bottoms, percent by wt Lost to catalyst complex, percent by wt .d

pereture, "F 400 Average reaction pressure, lbs/sq. in

percent by wt.. Ci fraction, percent by wt Ca fraction, percent by wt most of the octane As might be expected 0.2mm mmtnmsh ...w 5005.2... 4.a wangen a it... wwwa n.0a3-3. 01. o73wwu M s mmw MLwzw. ma m3 %.417 i 1 m N 01.0 mmwnm an Metal.. a als aast a 12.04. ww clama 0.a Noalmu m M m mazmu? 0.9.0. wm M maw v momo.. muwHw/olw Mm w 7.nw5w mn? Loarmi. mo. Noiowni. M 5mm eamama au. T2 mmm a 0 3 13.. wm? MLaLmz 0.a M20ww8 T mmm m n dal. en 024.91m M n u 0 m 0.0mm wmmamma. wm mmmmmm 0.03m manana@ a 3l 4 00 N 7. W WM 27.0u2w2 0.0. 062 5 05 48 2 877481 ata mamma ma tua aaa amata a N m41 camz. 0.0. 006 5 02177 5 637316 mana aannam am lama Hamann. n.1. N W 54.1 6232 0.L

catalyst, etc. in the region of low temperature operation, and the data thereon aresiven in Table IV.

080 500g-[7% 5w B 7 .40 0 n 05 A. 55 033.500 0.0. Ntwnn a 1.a... naamw .a im

l .o l r :1 l 1 3132 o Table IV The first series of runs, through 19, shows the effect of various proportions of our preferred activator, HC1, upon the yield-octane number retained from the light virgin naphtha described above. It will be noted that under the conditions used, i. e. approximately 330 F., 600 pounds per square inch initial, i. e. cold, hydrogen pressure.

in general the octane number increased with increasing HC1 concentration number improvement per unit of HC1, however, being obtained at the lower concentrations.

Runs 17, 20, 21, and 22 illustrate the effect of various. times of reaction run 17, which lasted for 3 hours, gave the largest octane number increase, and run 22 -gave the smallest; However. excellent results can be ob- 0.5 hour, as is' shown by comparison of runs 22 and 23. In the latter run twice as much catalyst and activator were used as in the former and the octane number increase of the product was 14.2

24 in this series was made with three times the catalyst concentration of run 22, and gave a large octane number increase, but the low yield and large isobutane formation indicate that the results.

as against 4.3 with only .14% less yield. Run

severity of the treatment was too great for best 17 i4. which were batch runs mule in manie steel apparatus' on a licht virgin naphtha boiling be'- tween F.- and 152 F. prepared by fractiona- These data dermnstrate the extremely good 50 lationship of the liquid butane-free product obrelationship between yield and octane number these runs was that in each case the catalyst was 55 3.5% AlCls catalyst and 3 hours reaction time. still active at the end of the run, so that the actual paramnic gases has no detrimental eiects even 65 tained at 330 F. and reaction times as low as when the temperature is relatively low. Runs 13 gen pressurs'within our preferred range, and the Further runs were made on vanother sample of light virgin naphtha boiling between F and These runs illustrate the effect of varying the reaction conditions, proportions of tion and having an initial. octane number (CFR-M) of 67.0. This naphtha was, of course, substantially free from aromatlcs.

improvement which can be obtained by means of our invention when processing an aromatic-free light virgin naphtha. One important feature of catalyst requirement is much lower than` would be assumed Vfrom the proportion of catalyst used. It will also be noted that no propane was formed in any case, and that isobutane formation was 60 either absent or very low. Run l1 is a typical run made under preferred conditions of high 4temperature operation according to our invention, while run 12 shows that the addition of light and 14 illustrate the results obtainable at hydrolatter run shows that the presence of light parafflnic gases is not required in the temperature range of low temperature operation.

153 F. and having an octane number of 67.5 (CFR-M).

19 Runs 2l, 25 and 28 show the etlect of hydrogen on the reaction. It will be noted that increasing hydrogen pressure increases both yield and octane number somewhat, but the most, important had been previously noticed that this was related to the extent of the octane number improvement o! the naphtha feed. The pertinent data for the total run are shown in Table IV and those for the eilect is one which cannot be demonstrated in individual tests lin Table V. In order to avoid loss runs of fixed `reaction time. namely, the eiect on of catalyst from the reaction bomb, only about catalyst life. Hydrogen, especially when under 500 g. ofthe total hydrocarbon phase was removed pressures ranging from 500 to 1500 pounds per after each test and replaced by an equivalent square inch during the reaction, materially amount of fresh charge.

Table V Li ht Initial H4 Tempera- Roactlon Contact Rim@ Nap tha Moi* HC1 Pressure ture Pi'eiiu'e Time factor Gram Gram lirmm Lba/rq. Vi'n. F. LbLf/aq; '171. Houra Minuta 000 20.0 .000 305 20o 0.1033 .0:01 402 13.0 000 310 900 ac3 1.03; 402 1&0 v000 000 am 010 auf 00s 13.0 v000 320 033 0.23` :1.34 400 1&0 000 310 000 o45 m4 504 lao -000 000 0.100 ,aan 004 13.2 000 000 0.70 un 304 13.0 000 330 030 037 7.2 004 13.3 000 334 025 0.33 1. 502 13.0 000 332 025 0.02 7.74 500 13.0 000 334 023 0.02 7.38' 504 13.0 000 333 925 0.75 0. 505 13.3 000 334 025 1-.00 au' 000 13.0 000 333 025 0.07 3.04 504 13.0 000 333 023 0.03 7.30 505 13.3 000 334 000 1.00 3.34 504 14.0 000 332 025 1.00 3.34 30s 13.3 000 331 925 0.07 3.04 500 13.3 000 331 025 0.00- 3.10 '1 003 14.0 000 332 025 1.00 3.23 Totals before correction 10,205 2841.6 14. 78 Cornacted Totals l0, 205 14. 78

Average 512 14. 2 600 330 925 0. 74 4. 80

E, con- HCl con Propane Isobutane Octane No. Increase Rim 3 aimed sumed produced produced Liiiiii Yieii (CFR-M) 1n o. N

Cubic feet Grams Grams .4 0.10 3.3 None 12.5 N01 determined... 70.0 12.14 11.` 0.22 5.2 None 13.2 .do 32.0 14.3 o... 0.21 2.2 None 79.0 12.0 D 0.19 2.5 Non@ 32.1 14.3 E. 0. 0. 5 None 70. 3 12. 3 F. 0. 42 1. 2 Non@ s1. 7 14. 2- G. 0. 42 2. l None 81. 8 14. 3 E.. 0.24 3.2 None 81.5 14.0 I 0. 43 l. 3 None 80. 9 13. 4 J 0.46 1. 4 None 80. 9 13. 4 K 0. 44 1. 7 None s0. 0 13.-4 L 0. 37 l. 6 None 80. 7 13. 2 M, 0. 40 0. 0 None si. 7 14. 2 N 0.33 e0. 1 None 32.0 14.5 o. 0. 0. 0 None 30. 7 13. 2 P. 0. -0. 3 None 30. 3 13. 3 Q 0. 33 -0. 3 Non@ 30. 0 13. 4 a. 0. 43 0. 1 Non@ 31.0 13. 5 s 0. 0. 2 None 30. 0 13.4 'r o. 44 0. 2 None a0. e 1s. 1 Totals before correction. 0. S6 31.2 None 81.0 13. 5 Corrected Totals 6. 86 31'. 2 9.0 8l. 0 13. 5

Average 0. 34 1. 56 None 8l. 0 13. 0

lengthens -the period of activity of Ithe catalyst. and this fact is evidenced by the relatively large amount of hydrocarbon material attached to the catalyst in the form of complex when hydrogen is absent.

Runs 27, 28 and 29 are illustrative of results obtainable at lower temperatures and show that good octane number improvement can be achieved at temperatures of approximately 200 F. in reasonable times according to our invention.

In considering runs 15 through 29, an important point not shown in Table IV is that in each case the catalyst complex remaining was still very active. Run 30 was therefore made in. an effort -to determine the catalyst life under typical conditions. Since no continuous apparatus was available, a number of tests were made using the same charge of catalyst, the length of each test being determined by the time in which the bomb pressure dropped a predetermined amount, since it 75 propane, 218.6 g. of isobutane and 116.4 g, .ot-

It will be observed that a total ot 10.205 g. of naphtha was given an average octane number improvement of 13.5 umts in less than 15 hours using only '10.3 g. of AlCla. and that the' reaction time required to achieve lthis result in each test gradually increased from less than 0.1 hour to about 1 hour and remained substantially constant at the latter value for a considerable period. Obviously the catalyst was not exhausted at the end of the run and the run could have been continued, but even if it had been, the catalyst consumption would have been only 0.69% by weight. Another interesting feature was that the consumption of activator was negligible toward the end of the run and the total consumption was very low. In explanation oi the corrections made in the totals shown in Table V, the entire 344 g. in the composite isobutane fraction was analyzed by distillation and found to contain about 9 g. of

2l' isopentane, the latter being added to the liquid hydrocarbon fraction to determine the total yield. The other corrections made were minor in nature and need not be detailed.

From the above it will be seen that the production o! a light liquid hydrocarbon fraction rich in branched-chain parains and having an excellent knock rating from light virgin naphtha according to our invention is a commercially practical process due primarily to its low catalyst requirements. Translated into refinery terms run 30 demonstrates that this light naphtha can be converted into 97.7% of an 81 octane number naphtha especially suitable for aviation purposes by our process using not more than 0.71 pound of activator, 70 cubic feet of hydrogen, and 1.6 pounds of catalyst per barrel of naphtha converted.

Expressed inanother manner, the results of run 30 are shown graphically in Figure 3, which is a plot of the reaction time necessary to eiect a certain octane number improvement in each portion of charge (which in this case is substantially proportional to contact factor) against the overall yield in gallons per pound of aluminum chloride up to that point. It is evident that the catalyst activity is extremely well maintained, especially in the later stages of the run. As a matter of fact, no further loss in activity was perceptible up to the time the run was discontinued and the yield was in excess of 26 gallons per pound of aluminum chloride.

In order to demonstrate that no such results are possible without using hydrogen in accordance with our invention, run 31 was made which was exactly like run 30 except that no hydrogen `f pressure was maintained in the reactor. The detailed results are shown in Table VI.

1o cubic feet of hydrogen per barrel of naphtha charged.

This application is a continuation-impart of our co-pending application Serial Number 245,570, iiled December 14, 1938, now U. S. Patent l5 NO. 2,266,012.

Many modiiications of our invention and of'.

the apparatus shown herein for carrying out the same will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and they will be able to supply numerous dem tails not illustrated in the drawings, such as heat exchangers, provisions for fractionating tower control, etc. We do not desire to be limited to the specific modifications and examples used in illustrating our invention, but only by the appended claims, wherein We have defined our invention.

We claim:

1. The process of converting a paraffin hydrocarbon within the range of pentane to octane to obtain substantial yields of an isomerization product of higher octane number, which process comprises subjecting said parain hydrocarbon to the action of an aluminum halide catalyst effective in causing said conversion in a reaction zone in the presence of a substantial amount of an added hydrogen halide activator, maintaining said zone at a temperature Within the approximate range of 100 F. to 550 F. and main- Table VI Light Initial Hs Tempera- Reaction Contact Run 3l naphtha MC1 HC1 Pressure ture Pressure Time factor Grams F. Hours Minutes 654 300 300 0. 133 0.86 505 300 300 0. 15 1.25 505 316 330 o. a3 2. 79 505 330 350 0. 33 ll. 2 505 332 380 2. 20. 9 505 332 370 2. 23. 0 505 330 370 3. 75 31. 4 505 332 360 4. 42 37. 0

Average 523. c 330 345 1. 92 16. o5

H2 con- HCl con- Propane Isobutanc Octane No. In se Run 31 sumed sumed produced Produced Llquld Yield (CFR-M) in caN.

Grams 35. 7 Not determined. 80. 5 13.0 11.3 d0. 73.2 5.7 8. 7l. 9 4. 4 74. 5 7.0 77. 2 9. 7 73. 9 6. 4 74. 5 7. 0 73. 4 5. 9

Average 74. 9 7. 4

The results of run 31 conclusively show that the AlCla catalyst was very rapidly deactivated and so was unable to approach in any reasonable time either the low ultimate catalyst requirement or the high octane number improvementobtained in run-30 under hydrogen pressure. Even the liquid yield was only 94.2% as against 97.7%.

the diilference being mainly increased loss of 75 taining said zone under a hydrogen pressure of at least 250 pounds per square inch.

2. The process of claim 1 wherein the contact factor is greater than that defined by the equation annees 23 where Km is the contact factor in minutes and T is the reaction temperature in degrees Fahrenheit.

3. The process of claim 1 wherein the temperature of the reaction zone is not higher than about 350 F.

4. The processor claim 1 wherein a charging stock is employed which consists essentially oi a naphtha having an end point not substantially higher than about 158 F. and -containing substantially no heptane.

5. The process of claim 1 wherein the aluminum halide is aluminum chloride and wherein the hydrogen pressure and other operating con-a ditions arejsuch that less than two parts by weight of aluminum chloride is consumed in the conversion for each hundred parts by weight of hydrocarbon subjected to the action of said catalyst.

6. The' process of claim i wherein the cective activator is hydrogen chloride and wherein more than two parte by weight of hydrogen chloride is introduced into the reaction zone for each hundred parts by weight ot hydrocarbon introduced thereto.

7. In a process for converting normally liquid paraiiln hydrocarbons in a substantially satu` rated naphtha to obtain vsubstantial yields of branched-chain paraiiln hydrocarbons of higher octane number by treatment with an aluminum halide catalyst effective for causing said conversion and an activator for affording an excess of hydrogen halide in a conversion zone at atemperature within the approximate range of 200 to 350 F.. the method of prolonging catalyst life and increasing the amount of said conversion eiected by a given amount of catalyst which method comprises effecting said conversion under a pressure within the approximate .range of 500 to 1500 pounds per square inch in the presence of a suicient amount of free hydrogen to eiect a hydrogen consumption in the conversion zone and to maintain the catalyst in active condition for a much longer, period of time than it would be maintained in the absence of said hydrogen.

8. The method of claim '7 wherein less than one part by Weight ofjresh aluminum halide and more than two parts by weight of the activator are introduced into the conversion zone for each hundred parts by weight of naphtha introduced thereto.

9. The process of converting a substantial portion of normally liquid paraiiin hydrocarbons in a substantially saturated naphtha into branchedchain parain hydrocarbons of higher octane number. which process comprises effecting the formation of a complex by the reaction of aluminum chloride with a minor portion of said naphtha in the presence of hydrogen chloride and contacting a major. portion of said naphtha with said complex and hydrogen chloride in a reaction zone at a temperature within the approximate range of 100 to 550 F. and under a hydrogen pressure of at least-250 pounds per square inch.

l0. The process as defined by claim 9 which includes the further steps of continuously adding naphtha to the reaction zone and continuously withdrawing conversion products therefrom, continuously introducing into said reaction zone less than two parts of fresh aluminum chloride for each hundred parts by weight of naphtha intro-k duced thereto and continuously introducing into said reaction zone more than two parts by weight of hydrogen chloride for each hundred parts by weight of naphtha which is introduced thereto.

11. The process of converting a substantial portion of normally liquid paraiiln hydrocarbons in a substantially saturated naphtha charging stock into branched-*chain paraihn hydrocarbons ci' higher octane number, which process comprises effecting the 'pre-formation of a complex by the l ture within the approximate range of 100 to 550 EP'. under a hydrogen pressure oi' at least 250 pounds per square inch.

12. The process for increasing the octane number ot a substantially saturated light naphtha rich in paramn hydrocarbons and characterized by a low octane number which process comprises introducing said naphtha into a reaction zone. introducing into said zone make-up aluminum chloride in amounts less than two percent by weight based on naphtha charged and introducing hydrogen chloride in amounts more than two percent by weight based on naphtha charged. maintaining said reaction zone at a temperature within the approximate range of 100 to 350 F., maintaining a hydrogen pressure in said reaction zone of at least 250 pounds per square inch and employing a contact factor in the reaction greater than that defined by the equation 4883 Loglo where Km is the contact factor in minutes and T is the temperature in degrees Fahrenheit.

13. The method of converting a substantially saturated light paraillnic naphtha having a CFR-M octane number below '10 in order toobtain at least about a 97 volume percent yield of a gasoline fraction having a CFR-M octane number above about and only a small amount of isobutane, which method comprises introducing said naphtha with an aluminum chloride catalyst and hydrogen chloride into a reaction zone, maintaining the temperature of the reaction zone within the approximate range of 200 to 350 F., continuously maintaining a hydrogen pressure in said reaction zone of at least 250 pounds per square inch, continuously introducing not mor'e than about one percent by weight of make-up aluminum chloride based on naphtha charged, continuously introducing at least about three percent by weight of hydrogen chloride based on naphtha charged, and fractionating the resulting products.

y 14. In the process of isomerizing a relatively low knock rating paraffinic hydrocarbon in the pentane to octane boiling range for obtaining substantial yields of a normally liquid isomerization product of materially higher knock rating by contacting said hydrocarbon with an aluminum halide catalyst effective in causing said isomerization in the presence of a substantial amount of an added hydrogen halide activator in a reaction zone maintained at isomerization temperature and at a substantial superatmospheric pressure for a period of time and with an amount of catalyst for effecting substantial isomerization, the improvement which comprises addin a substantially amamosv ing hydrogen to said zone in such quantity as to maintain free hydrogen therein and in such quantity and under such pressure as to maintain the catalyst in active condition for a much longer period of time than it would be maintained in said condition in the absence of said added hydrogen.

15. The process of claim 14 which includes the step of effecting the isomerization under such conditions and with such amounts of added hydrogen that a substantial amount of hydrogen is consumed in the reaction zone.

16. The process of converting a parailinic light naphtha consisting essentially of Cs and Ct hydrocarbons to obtain substantial yields of a higher octane num-'ber isomerization product, which process comprises treating said naphtha with an aluminum chloride catalyst in a reaction zone in the presence of substantial amounts of added hydrogen chloride at a temperature within the approximate range of 100 to 550 F. and at a pressure within vthe approximate range of 500 to v1500 pounds per square inch, and adding hydro- `gen to said zone in such quantity as to maintain free hydrogen therein and in such quantity and under such pressure as to maintain the catalyst in active condition for a much longer period of time than it would be maintained in said condition in the absence of said added hydrogen.

17. The process of converting a substantial portion of the normally liquid parafiln hydrocarbons saturated naphtha into branched-chain parailin hydrocarbons of higher octane number which process comprises subjecting said naphtha to the action of an aluminum halide catalyst effective in causing said -conversion and an activator aording a hydrogen halide under a hydrogen pressure of at least 250 ypounds per square inch in two separate reaction zones, the first of said zones being maintained at a temperature Within the approximate range of 300 to 550 F. and the second of said zones being maintained at a low temperature within the approximate range of 100 to 300 F., separating the products from each of said reaction zones into a catalyst-containing portion and a hydrocarbon fraction'. and introducing at least a part of the catalyst-containing portion from the second reaction zone int-o said iirst reaction zone.

18. The process of converting a substantial portion of the normally liquid parailin hydrocarbons in a substantially saturated naphtha into branched-chain parailln hydrocarbons of higher octane number which process comprises subjecting said naphtha to the action of an aluminum halide catalyst eiective in causing said conversion and an activator aording a hydrogen halide in a rst reaction zone at a temperature within the approximate range of 300 to 550 F. under a hydrogen pressure of at least 250 pounds per square inch, removing the products from said ilrst reaction zone, separating said products into a catalyst fraction and a hydrocarbon fraction, introducing said hydrocarbon fraction into a second reaction zone for reaction with further quantities of said catalyst and said activator in the presence of free hydrogen at a lower temperature within the approximate range of 100 to 300 F., removing the products from said second reaction zone and recovering a fraction containing branchedchain hydrocarbons from said last mentioned products.

19. The process of isomerizing low molecular weight normally liquid paraillnic hydrocarbons which process comprises subjecting said low removing reaction products and a portion ofsaid catalyst from the top of said reaction zone, separating the removed catalyst and returning 'at least a portion of the removed catalyst to the reaction zone.

20. The process of claim 19 which includes the further step of cooling the removed reaction products before catalyst material is separated therefrom.

2l. The process of isomerizing low molecular weight normally liquid parainnic hydrocarbons which process comprises subjecting said low molecular weight normally liquid parainic hydrocarbons to the vaction of an aluminum chloride catalyst effective for causing said isomerization in the presence of a substantial amount of a halogen halide activator in a reaction zone maintained at a temperature within the approximate range of to 550 F., under a hydrogen pressure of at least 250 pounds per square inch, removing reaction products together with a gascontaining hydrogen chloride from the top of said reaction zone, separating the hydrogen chloride from the withdrawn products and returning at least a part ofthe separated hydrogen chloride to the reaction zone.

22. The process of isomerizing low molecular weight normally liquid parafiinic hydrocarbons which process comprises subjecting said low molecular weight normally liquid paraflinic hydrocarbons to the action of an aluminum chloride catalyst effective for causing said isomerization in the presence of a substantial amount of a halogen halide activator in a reaction zone maintained at a temperature within the approximate range of 100 to 550 F., under a hydrogen pressure of at least 250 pounds per square inch, removing reaction products together with a gas containing hydrogen from the top of said reaction zone, separating hydrogen from the removed products and returning at least a portion of the separated hydrogen to said reaction zone.

23. The process of converting a parailln hydrocarbon containing at least six carbon atoms to obtain substantial yields of an isomerization product of higher octane number, which process comprises subjecting said parain hydrocarbon to the action of an aluminum halide catalyst eiective in causing said conversion in a reaction zone in the presence of a substantial amount of an added hydrogen halide activator, maintaining said zone at a temperature within the approximate range of 122 F. to 400 F. and maintaining said zone under a hydrogen pressure of at least 250 .pounds per square inch.

24. The process of converting normally liquid paraiin hydrocarbon material boiling within the gasoline boiling point range to obtain normally liquid isomerization products of higher octane number which process comprises subjecting said parailln hydrocarbon to the action of an aluminum chloride catalyst eiective in causing said conversion in a reaction zone in the presence of added hydrogen chloride as an activator for said aluminum chloride, maintaining said zone within the approximate range of 122 F. to 400 F. and

maintaining said zone under a hydrogen pressure of at least 250 pounds per square inch. 25. The process for the conversion of normally liquid paraiiin hydrocarbon material boiling within the gasoline boiling point range to obtain normally liquid isomerization products of higher octane number which process comprises passing said Iparafn hydrocarbon continuously through a reaction zone, contacting it therein with an aluminum chloride catalyst effective in causing said conversion, maintaining in said reaction zone a temperature in the approximate range of 200 to 400fF. and a superatmospheric pressure, and continuously passing into said reaction zone to contact with said parailn material therein, hydrogen chloride'as an activator for said catalyst and free hydrogen under super-atmospheric pressure, thereby maintaining said catalyst in active condition.

EDMOND L. DOUVILLE. BERNARD L. EVERING.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the ille of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,608,328 McAfee Nov. 23, 1926 1,825,270 Jenkins et ai Sept. 29, 1931- 1,825,294' Wolcott Sept. 29, 1931 1,835,748` 'Behimer Dec. 8, 1931 2,169,494 Ipatieil.' et al. Aug. 15, 1939 2,172,146 Ruthrufl' Sept. 5, 1939 2,220,092 Evering et ai Nov. 5, 1940 2,266,012 dOuville et al Dec. 16. 194i FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 24,044 India Aug. 23, 1937 842,204 France Feb. 27, 1939 823,595 France Jan. 22, 1938 OTHER REFERENCES Moldavskii et al.: Jour. Gen. Chem. (USSR),

20 v01. 5, Ser. A. 1791-97 (1935) Trans. in 26o-676 Ipatieff et ai.: Jour. Ind. and Eng. Chem., voi. 28, 461-4 (1936). 

